Bungie, the renowned developer behind Destiny, is gearing up to unveil more details about its eagerly awaited PvP extraction shooter, Marathon. Fans can mark their calendars for an exciting gameplay livestream set for Saturday, April 12, or Sunday, April 13, depending on their location around the globe.
The anticipation began to build last week when Bungie teased fans with a cryptic tweet featuring a 15-second video that sparked an "extensive alternative reality game." Enthusiasts quickly delved into the ASCII art within the video, uncovering a snippet from the initial trailer showing a runner sprinting down a hall. The intrigue deepened with another message hinting at a protocol breach and an imminent evacuation, urging players to brace for action.
"Thousands of community members across the world worked together to unlock the gameplay reveal date for Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter Marathon," Bungie announced. The livestream is scheduled for 10 am PDT (San Francisco) / 1 pm EDT (New York) / 6 pm BST (London) / 7 pm CEST (Berlin/Paris) / 9 pm GST (Dubai) on Saturday, or Sunday, April 13 at 2 am JST (Tokyo) / 3 am AEST (Sydney) / 5 pm NZST (Auckland).
First revealed in May 2023, Marathon is a reboot of the iconic Bungie franchise, infusing themes of "mysteries, eeriness, and psychological creepiness." The game is set on the mysterious planet of Tau Ceti IV, where players take on the roles of Runners—cybernetic mercenaries designed to withstand the planet's harsh conditions. As they explore the remnants of a lost colony, players will hunt for valuable loot, including new weapons and gear.
Since its initial reveal, updates have been sparse, though a development video in October provided insights into Marathon's mechanics. Bungie highlighted the game's early development stage, setting expectations for future reveals.
In the broader gaming landscape, Sony's strategy has shifted following the abrupt cancellation of the live-service shooter Concord. Sony president Hiroki Totoki announced in November 2023 that the company would focus on launching just six out of the twelve planned live-service games by March 2026. This decision also led to the cancellation of The Last of Us multiplayer game.
Bungie itself has faced its share of challenges. In July 2024, the company laid off 220 staff members, representing 17% of its workforce, following 100 layoffs less than a year prior. Amidst these changes, former Marathon director Chris Barrett was reportedly fired after an internal misconduct investigation, subsequently filing a lawsuit against Sony Interactive Entertainment and Bungie for over $200 million.
To catch the Marathon gameplay reveal live, tune in to the official Marathon Twitch channel on April 12.
